Jan. 26, 2012
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Lynetta Kizer notched a double-double, Laurin Mincy added 19 points and Tianna Hawkins had 18, but Virginia Tech slipped past No. 7 Maryland, 75-69, Thursday night in Comcast Center.
Virginia Tech's Monet Tellier tied a career high with 31 points and fueled a late charge that carried the Hokies.
Kizer's 21 points off 7-for-15 shooting led the Terrapins (18-3, 5-3). As a team, the Terps shot 77 percent from the foul line (24-31) and 47.8 percent from the field.
Virginia Tech overcame 38 percent shooting behind Tellier (who went 10 for 11 at the foul line) and a defense that forced 20 turnovers.
"I'm mostly disappointed," head coach Brenda Frese. "I really like coaching this team. I think this team has a lot of great parts to it. I think as young players, it's important for them to understand the big picture of things."
"Credit Virginia Tech, I thought they had a lot more energy and were more inspired. Obviously Tellier with her career-high 31 points, we didn't have an answer for her defensively."
Maryland maintained a slight lead throughout the second half until a driving layup by Tellier put the Hokies up 62-61 with 5:25 left. Porschia Hadley and Tellier followed with baskets to make it 66-61, and after Kizer made a free throw, Hawkins fouled out with 2:29 to go.
Still, Maryland got to 66-63 before Aerial Wilson made a layup for the Hokies with 1:17 left.
Earlier, Maryland appeared to take control when a three-point play by Kizer made it 45-37. But Tellier drilled two straight 3-pointers to spark a 9-2 run that got the Hokies to 47-46 with 13:44 left.
Maryland led 34-31 at halftime despite limiting Virginia Tech to 9-for-29 shooting.
The Terrapins won the battle inside, outrebounding the Hokies, 36-35, and outscoring them in the paint 36-20.
The Terrapins were without leading scorer Alyssa Thomas, who was resting a left thumb sprain.
"No question [it was felt], when you lose a piece like Alyssa," Frese said. "But we also have a lot of talented players in this locker room that should be able to step up in her absence."
Next, the Terrapins will play host to Boston College (5-15, 0-7) Thursday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. in Comcast Center. For tickets to Thursday's matchup, log on to the Terrapin Ticket Office online at umterps.com or call 1-800-IM-A-TERP.
Fans can watch the Terps-Eagles game live on TerpsTV Premium, a subscription service that offers exclusive video and audio content. The service is available for an annual subscription price of $79.95 or a monthly subscription of $9.95 per month. The game will also be broadcast live online at WMUCSports.com.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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